Chemical disinfecting agents oxidizing

Viruses that contain hpid are inactivated by organic solvents such as chloroform and ether. Those without hpid are resistant to these agents. This distinction has been used to classify virases. Many of the chemical disinfectants used against bacteria, e.g. phenols, alcohols and quaternary ammonium compounds (Chapter 10), have minimal virucidal activity. The most generally active agents are chlorine, the hypochlorites, iodine, aldehydes and ethylene oxide. 

Disinfectants come from various chemical classes, including oxidants, halogens or halogen-releasing agents, alcohols, aldehydes, organic acids, phenols, cationic surfactants (detergents) and formerly also heavy metals. The basic mechanisms of action involve de-naturation of proteins, inhibition of enzymes, or a dehydration. Effects are dependent on concentration and contact time. 

If a strong chemical reducing agent is added somewhere in the treatment process after chlorine dioxide primary disinfection, then chlorine dioxide and chlorite ions can be reduced to chloride ion. This would leave only traces of chlorate ion in the water. This chemical reduction technique will allow much higher chlorine dioxide dosages to be apphed for oxidation and/or primary disinfection than the 1.2-1.4 mg/L currently recommended. 

Oxidation A chemical reaction in which an element or ion is increased in positive valence, losing electrons to an oxidising agent. Oxidants such as chlorine and ozone are added to water and wastewater to bring about the desired inorganic and or nic transformations as well as to disinfect. 

Decontaminating. This exposes the worker to the hazards of the steam (or ethylene oxide) sterilizer, to broken glass, and if chemical disinfectants are used, to chemical or irritating agents. 

Bromine occurs in nature as bromide in many natural brine wells and salt deposits. It also is found in seawater at a concentration of 85 mg/L. The element was discovered by A. J. Balard and C. Lowig, independently in 1826. Bromine is used in bleaching fibers and as a disinfectant for water purification. Other appbcations are in organic synthesis as an oxidizing or brominat-ing agent in the manufacture of ethylene dibromide, methyl bromide and other bromo compounds for dyes and pharmaceutical uses as a fire retardant for plastics and in chemical analysis. Ethylene dibromide is used in anti-... 

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